Frequently Asked Questions

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First you have to make yourself known to us - please donâ��t assume that we already know who you are or what moves youâ��re making. To do this you need to, at minimum, submit your music/projects to our offices. The address is listed all over this website. The very best way to get recognized is to click here and update us on your achievements.

Typically press kits are a collection of promotional materials such as music, singles, photos, fliers, artist biography, video clips, magazine articles, contact information, and so on. Often times when artists are launching a new album they release press kits to radio stations, award shows, newspapers, magazines, web sites, the music academy, DJ’s, and promoters.

Press kits vary in style and creativity. Some times the press kit is presented in the same fashion of the artists’s marketing scheme, in other cases press kits can be traditional, direct and to the point. Being creative is a great way to present your press kit to catch the attention of the person you are sending it to.

An EPK is an electronic press kit that can be sent out online. The upside to sending an EPK is the low costs of production while avoiding mailing charges. When making an EPK, it is important to spend time on it as you would a physical package. Although EPK’s are cheaper to send out they don’t usually hold the same value as a physical package. Usually a well put together and planned out press kit is more impressive to the person receiving it.

You can submit physical material to ESP Enterprises, PO Box 19305, Cleveland, OH 44119. Please be sure to put "Attn: OHHA" on the outside of the packaging. Digital submissions should be sent to "submissions@ohiohiphopawards.com with the subject "Artist Submission"

Do I have to submit a press kit with my music?

No. What you have to do is make sure we have your music, at minimum. If we don't have your music, there is obviously no way you can be nominated. It is not an absolute requirement to submit a press kit, however it is highly recommended & definitely increases your chances to be nominated. Press kits help the board get a feeling for the artist's overall image and business acumen along with their music which helps weigh a nomination decision. Submitting professional looking kits will naturally get you more attention compared to a disc with a phone number written in marker. Your press kit or EPK could very well be a deciding factor in your nomination. Assuming that the OHHA Board knows of your every move might get you over looked. Additionally, this is a standard industry requirement that you will definitely need to help promote your music in the most effective and professional way possible.

Artists are suggested by their fans on www.ohiohiphopawards.com between May 1st and July 1st. The suggestions and press kits are then reviewed to narrow down the ballot. Having a tremendous amount of nominations doesn’t automatically mean that you will be nominated however. There are additional requirements such as retail sales, radio spins, performances/touring, mixtape placements, online presence, and overall artist visibility. The OHHA Board researches artists across the state and has networking showcases in seven cities during the month of June. At these showcases artists and models are interviewed and press kits are taken in person.

Yes, as long as you have lived in Ohio for at least 6 months & are active in your cities Hip Hop scene. The OHHA Board reserves the right to require identification & residency verification at it’s discretion.

Depending on what categories you are trying to be nominated in, here are a couple of things that you should send in to better your chances. 1) Video footage of yourself in action, especially if you are a turntablist. 2) Fliers (with your name on them) to the events that you have spun at. 3) Any mixtapes that you have released in the past year. 3) A press kit or EPK listing some of your accomplishments.

Unfortunately we do not except ANYTHING that isn’t professionally packaged. No, it doesn’t mean that your music isn’t good enough to compete. But with us receiving literally hundreds of packages throughout a year’s time from artists who invest some sort of real financial commitment towards their material, if your project comes to our offices on a CDR with writing from a marker on it you do not meet the criteria for an Ohio Hip Hop Award. We are trying to award those who’s complete package and presentation represent the best that Ohio has to offer. Please work on getting a professional package together with nice artwork & packaging before you submit anything to us. Presentation is key - you never get a 2nd chance to make a 1st impression.

Each year in June the Ohio Hip Hop Awards & Music Conference hosts a talent showcase in Akron/Kent, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Canton, Toledo, and Youngstown. The top 5 scores from across the state will win a performance slot on one of the biggest stages for Ohio talent - the main event of the Ohio Hip Hop Awards & Music Conference. This is the primary way in which we select who will perform at the main event in September. Winners also get tickets to the awards show for them and a few guests, as well as the benefit of being marketed and promoted in all forms of advertising used to promote the show.

The registration fee is $200 per city if paid before May 1st; $250 during the month of May. For your registration fee, artists get 20 tickets to the event priced at $10 each - artists can sell these tickets to their fans to come out and support them in the competition, or give them away to family or friends. Registered artists also receive show fliers, a contract agreement for the event, and an official form listing what they are being judged on. Each artists gets to a 5 minutes max time slot, and are judged on: Song creativity, use of original beats, stage presence, appearance, lyrics, flow, sound quality, whether or not they brought promotional materials to the event, use of props, crowd interaction, crowd reaction, and mic control, among others factors.

The top 5 scores from across the state will win a performance slot on one of the biggest stages for Ohio talent - the main event of the Ohio Hip Hop Awards & Music Conference. This is the primary way in which we select who will perform at the main event in September. The runner ups are given stage time the night before the awards at the official pre party. Winners also get tickets to the awards show for them and a few guests, as well as the benefit of being marketed and promoted in all forms of advertising used to promote the show.

Yes. Artists can enter into as many showcases as they want as long as they are able to travel to each location. This increases your chances of winning as well as gives you the opportunity to tour the state and network with artists in other cities. Take advantage of a highly publicized state wide regional tour and increase your fan base exponentially! All the work has already been done for you – the marketing, promotion, booked venue, dj, security, printed flyers and tickets, etc...all you have to do is show up and RIP the stage!

If you are interested in advertising or sponsoring, please send an email HERE with all of your contact information. An official representative of the OHHA will contact you at our earliest convenience. There is also a downloadable PDF of our sponsorship package on our website.

If you are interested in advertising or sponsoring, please send an email HERE with all of your contact information. An official representative of the OHHA will contact you at our earliest convenience. There is also a downloadable PDF of our sponsorship package on our website.